HowStuffWorks Newsletter
"Gadget" is a catch-all word these days for nifty devices. We've covered the basics, such as clocks & watches, plus delved into the world of present-day and future high-tech gadgets, such as digital jewelry and restaurant pagers.
Topics to Explore:
Once the domain of robots, the seafloor's becoming more accessible thanks to 3-D, HD videos like this one created near Samoa by the research vessel Falkor.
Want to ditch those reading glasses for specs that won't make your head spin every time you look around? One company is working on glasses that do all the heavy lifting.
By Chris Opfer
Researchers in Japan have introduced an electric fork that causes the eater to taste salt. Welcome to the stimulating world of electro-gustation.
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One of the world's biggest athletic shoe makers is launching a new set of kicks that won't have to be double knotted. We assume Marty McFly's on that pre-order tip.
By Chris Opfer
You want to know how many uppercuts you're throwing, right? The wearable tech company Hykso has your back.
Changing your speech to be understood by another person is one thing. Have you altered your accent just so your phone's voice recognition software understands you?
A new wearable monitor can analyze the chemical content of perspiration. Such gadgets could detect signs of dehydration and fatigue, or help manage health problems.
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"Stranded on a desert island" scenarios may vanish thanks to urine-powered socks that could allow you to send a life-saving text even if there's no outlet to plug into.
You doze off while watching "Jessica Jones." Next thing you know, she's getting busy with Luke Cage. How did this happen? What did you miss? Your Netflix socks can help.
Fitness trackers are hugely popular for people who want to increase their activity — and compete with pals. But the accuracy of such devices could be a little off.
That's right. Old technology is good technology these days. Retro tech is cool, so bust out your Game Boy already.
By John Donovan
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You're used to your smartphone's vibration alerts, but could the same technology in a shoe really help give the wearer directions?
With this new breed of smart collars, you'll know when your dog is napping, frolicking or needing a boost in activity levels.
We have smartphones, smart watches and now smart rings. But can a gadget that small really help you manage your communication and information needs?
By Dave Roos
The hottest wearable tech market is the health care market, because a lot of these gadgets can really improve lives. Some of the gadgets are ingenious. Others are just wacky.
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With all the benefits of walking — and a surge in fitness trackers on the marketplace — the question still remains: Will wearing a fitness tracker encourage you to walk more?
You know them — the one in five Americans who own wearable fitness trackers. So are they in better shape than those of us without a wristband tracking our every move? You might be surprised.
You believe your fitness tracker's data when it says you walked 10,000-plus steps and burned more than 500 calories today. But how accurate are those results? Could your FitBit be underestimating — or (gasp!) inflating — your daily energy output?
Imagine charging your iPod while you take a jog around the block. The technology isn't too far off and could make dead batteries a thing of the past.
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Forget the smart watch. This smart shirt might actually help you lose weight.
Your goal is to exercise within your targeted heart rate zone, so accurate heart-rate readings are crucial. Can you depend on a bracelet to give you those results while you're working out?
Surprise! If you're wearing a fitness tracker, you're likely providing the company that made it loads of data other than how many steps you took today — and all for free.
Obsessing over the data from your new sleep-tracking app could be keeping you up at night. We'll tell you why.
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Imagine a garment that analyzes your every workout move and ensures your performance is optimal. That's the goal of Athos clothing. Will it make all our workouts more effective?
Tired of getting your headset wires all tangled up while you jog? The wireless revolution is coming to a treadmill near you. Here's a look at one of the smartest wireless headphones to hit the market.
By Chris Opfer